Padina boergesenii mediated synthesis of Se-ZnO bimetallic nanoparticles for effective anticancer activity

Introduction

Evaluating the anticancer property of Padina boergesenii mediated bimetallic nanoparticles.

Methods

The present study focuses on synthesizing Se-ZnO bimetallic nanoparticles from an aqueous algal extract of brown algae Padina boergesenii.Synthesized Se-ZnO NPs were characterized by UV, FTIR, SEM-EDS and HRTEM for confirmation along with the anticancer activity by MTT assay.

Results

The UV gave an absorbance peak at 342 and 370 nm, and the FTIR showed functional groups involved in synthesizing Se-ZnO NPs. The TEM micrographs indicated the crystalline nature and confirmed the size of the Se-ZnO NPs to be at an average size of 26.14 nm. Anticancer efficacy against the MCF-7 breast and HepG2 (hepatoblastoma) cell lines were also demonstrated, attaining an IC50 value of 67.9 µg and 74.9 µg/ml respectively, which caused 50% cell death.

Discussion

This work aims to highlight an effective method for delivering bioactive compounds extracted from brown algae and emphasize its future therapeutic prospects. The potential of Selenium-Zinc oxide nanoparticles is of great interest due to the biocompatibility and low toxicity aspects of selenium combined with the cost-effectiveness and sustainability of zinc metal. The presence of bioactive compounds contributed to the stability of the nanoparticles and acted as capping properties.

Advancements in biosurfactant production using agro-industrial waste for industrial and environmental applications

The adverse effects of waste generation on the environment and public health have raised global concerns. The utilization of waste as a raw material to develop products with enhanced value has opened up novel prospects for promoting environmental sustainability. Biosurfactants obtained from agro-industrial waste are noteworthy due to their sustainability and environmental friendliness. Microorganisms have been employed to generate biosurfactants as secondary metabolites by making use of waste streams. The utilization of garbage as a substrate significantly reduces the expenses associated with the process. Furthermore, apart from reducing waste and offering alternatives to artificial surfactants, they are extensively employed in bioremediation, food processing, agriculture, and various other industrial pursuits. Bioremediation of heavy metals and other metallic pollutants mitigated through the use of bacteria that produce biosurfactants which has been the more recent research area with the aim of improving its quality and environmental safety. Moreover, the production of biosurfactants utilizing agricultural waste as a raw material aligns with the principles of waste minimization, environmental sustainability, and the circular economy. This review primarily focuses on the production process and various types of biosurfactants obtained from waste biomass and feedstocks. The subsequent discourse entails the production of biosurfactants derived from various waste streams, specifically agro-industrial waste.

Epidemiological investigation and successful management of a Burkholderia cepacia outbreak in a neurotrauma intensive care unit

OBJECTIVE

The detailed epidemiological and molecular characterization of an outbreak of Burkholderia cepacia at a neurotrauma intensive care unit of a level 1 trauma centre is described. The stringent infection control interventions taken to successfully curb this outbreak are emphasized.

METHODS

The clinical and microbiological data for those patients who had more than one blood culture that grew B. cepacia were reviewed. Bacterial identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing was done using automated Vitek 2 systems. Prospective surveillance, environmental sampling, and multilocus sequence typing (MLST) were performed for extensive source tracking. Intensive infection control measures were taken to further control the hospital spread.

RESULTS

Out of a total 48 patients with B. cepacia bacteraemia, 15 (31%) had central line-associated blood stream infections. Two hundred and thirty-one environmental samples were collected and screened, and only two water samples grew B. cepacia with similar phenotypic characteristics. The clinical strains characterized by MLST typing were clonal. However, isolates from the water represented a novel strain type (ST-1289). Intensive terminal cleaning, disinfection of the water supply, and the augmentation of infection control activities were done to curb the outbreak. A subsequent reduction in bacteraemia cases was observed.

CONCLUSION

Early diagnosis and appropriate therapy, along with the rigorous implementation of essential hospital infection control practices is required for successful containment of this pathogen and to curb such an outbreak.

Toxicity, uptake, and accumulation of nano and bulk cerium oxide particles in Artemia salina

Although the toxicological impact of metal oxide nanoparticles has been studied for the last few decades on aquatic organisms, the exact mechanism of action is still unclear. The fate, behavior, and biological activity of nanoparticles are dependent on physicochemical factors like size, shape, surface area, and stability in the medium. This study deals with the effect of nano and bulk CeO₂ particles on marine microcrustacean, Artemia salina. The primary size was found to be 15 ± 3.5 and 582 ± 50 nm for nano and bulk CeO₂ (TEM), respectively. The colloidal stability and sedimentation assays showed rapid aggregation of bulk particles in seawater. Both the sizes of CeO₂ particles inhibited the hatching rate of brine shrimp cyst. Nano CeO₂ was found to be more toxic to A. salina (48 h LC₅₀ 38.0 mg/L) when compared to bulk CeO₂ (48 h LC₅₀ 92.2 mg/L). Nano CeO₂-treated A. salina showed higher oxidative stress (ROS) than those treated with the bulk form. The reduction in the antioxidant activity indicated an increase in oxidative stress in the cells. Higher acetylcholinesterase activity (AChE) was observed upon exposure to nano and bulk CeO₂ particles. The uptake and accumulation of CeO₂ particles were increased with respect to the concentration and particle size. Thus, the above results revealed that nano CeO₂ was more lethal to A. salina as compared to bulk particles.